Urethane-group-containing reaction products

ABSTRACT

A reaction product containing urethane groups, comprising one or more species of the general formula (I) 
       (R 1 —X) p —Z 1 —(XH) y   (I)
     where p+y=w and w is an integer from 2 to 10, p is an integer from 2 to 10, y is an integer from 0 to 8, and   X is independently O, NH and/or NZ 2  and XH is independently a hydroxyl group OH, a primary amino group NH 2  and/or a secondary amino group NHZ 2  where   Z 2  is independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical G(U) a  where U is independently a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group or a secondary amino group and   a is an integer from 0 to 8,   where w+a≤10,   G is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical,   the p R 1  radicals are independently a radical of the general formula (II)   

       Y—O—CO—NH—R 2 —NH—CO  (II)
 
     in which the p Y radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which has 1 to 1000 carbon atoms and does not contain any hydroxyl groups, any primary amino groups or any secondary amino groups, the p R 2  radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and Z 1  is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which contains at least one tertiary nitrogen group and is free of XH groups.

The present invention relates to reaction products containing urethane groups, to a process for preparation thereof, to the use thereof as wetting agents and/or dispersants and/or dispersion stabilizers, and to compositions comprising them.

Wetting agents in dissolved or dispersed form in a liquid lower the surface tension or interfacial tension and hence increase the wetting capacity of the liquid. In this way, wetting agents in many cases actually enable any surface wetting at all.

Dispersants are generally suitable for stabilization of solid particles in binders, varnishes, pigment pastes, plastics and plastics mixtures, adhesives and sealants, for reduction of the viscosity of corresponding systems and for improving the flow properties. Dispersion stabilizers are used for stabilization of dispersions that have already been produced.

In order to be able to introduce solids into liquid media, high mechanical forces are required. It is customary to use dispersants to lower the dispersion forces and to keep the total energy input into the system needed for deflocculation of the solid particles as low as possible and hence also the dispersion time as short as possible. Dispersants of this kind are surface-active substances of anionic, cationic and/or uncharged structure. These substances are either applied directly to the solid in a small amount or added to the dispersion medium. A further major factor is that reagglomeration can occur after the dispersion process even after complete deflocculation of the solid agglomerates into primary particles, which partly or completely negates the expenditure on dispersion. Inadequate dispersion or reagglomeration typically results in unwanted effects, such as a rise in viscosity in liquid systems, a drift in the hue and a loss of gloss in varnishes and coatings, and also a reduction in the mechanical strength and material homogeneity in plastics.

Useful wetting agents and dispersants in practice include various types of compound. The particular reason for this is that there exist a high number of different systems based, in particular, on various kinds of binders combined with different particles to be dispersed, such as pigments, fillers and fibers.

WO-A-2012-101180 describes wetting agents and dispersants which are prepared with amide formation by condensation reaction a) of a polymer containing primary and/or secondary amino groups and b) at least one branched polyhydroxymonocarboxylic acid. Some of the hydroxyl groups of the reaction product are then reacted with at least one organic monoisocyanate to form urethane bonds.

EP 2 333 000 A1 describes polyether-modified epoxide-amine adducts having a polymeric epoxy-amine backbone as wetting agents and dispersants. WO-A-2012/175159 also describes the preparation of specific additive compositions which can be regarded as high-quality wetting agents and dispersants.

However, these aforementioned wetting agents and dispersants are not considered to be the optimal and complete solution for many dispersion tasks, especially owing to limited universality with respect to the solids to be dispersed.

It was thus an object of the present invention to provide high-quality products usable with maximum universality that are suitable as wetting agents and/or dispersants and dispersion stabilizers.

The object is achieved by provision of reaction products containing urethane groups, comprising one or more species of the general formula (I):

(R¹—X)_(p)—Z¹—(XH)_(y)  (I)

where p+y=w and

-   -   w is an integer from 2 to 10,     -   p is an integer from 2 to 10,     -   y is an integer from 0 to 8, and     -   X is independently O, NH and/or NZ² and     -   XH is independently a hydroxyl group OH, a primary amino group         NH₂ and/or     -   a secondary amino group NHZ²     -   where     -   Z² is independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or         unsaturated     -   organic radical G(U)_(a) where U is independently a hydroxyl         group, a primary     -   amino group or a secondary amino group and     -   a is an integer from 0 to 8,     -   where w+a≤10, and     -   G is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic         radical,         the p R¹ radicals are independently a radical of the general         formula (II)

Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NH—CO  (II)

in which the p Y radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which has 1 to 1000 carbon atoms and does not contain any hydroxyl groups, any primary amino groups or any secondary amino groups, the p R² radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and Z¹ is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which contains at least one tertiary nitrogen group and is free of XH groups.

Preferably, the “reaction product containing urethane groups” comprises one or more species of the general formula (I) as main reaction product(s), meaning that the amount of the species of the reaction product containing urethane groups covered by the general formula (I) is at least 40% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight and more preferably at least 90% by weight, based on the total weight of the reaction product containing urethane groups. Most preferably, the reaction product containing urethane groups consists essentially of species of the general formula (I). Owing to the merely commercial purity levels of the reactants and/or side reactions that possibly occur in the preparation of the reaction products containing urethane groups, “essentially consisting of” species of the general formula (I) is understood here to mean a content of species of the formula (I) in the total weight of the reaction product containing urethane groups of at least 95% by weight.

The term “species” here encompasses both compounds having a specific molecular weight and species that contain polymeric radicals and hence have a number-average and a weight-average molecular weight.

The term “tertiary nitrogen group” in the context of this invention describes a nitrogen atom to which three organic radicals are bonded via an N—C bond in each case, where the carbon atoms directly adjacent to the nitrogen are each independently part of a carbonyl group or a hydrocarbyl radical. Preferably, the carbon atoms bonded to the nitrogen are part of a hydrocarbyl radical, i.e. the tertiary nitrogen group is a tertiary amino group.

The “reaction products containing urethane groups” may in the simplest case be molecularly homogeneous products if exclusively molecularly homogeneous, essentially chemically pure compounds Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NCO and Z¹—(XH)_(w) are used for preparation thereof, in which Y is consequently not polymeric, all Y are identical, all R² are identical, all X are identical and all Z¹ are identical.

In the simplest case, however, molecular inhomogeneity of the “reaction products containing urethane groups” can already be obtained if p+y >2 and if the sum total of p and y is greater than the number of species Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NCO, even if Y is not polymeric, all Y are identical, all R² are identical, all X are identical and all Z¹ are identical. In this case, molecular distributions are obtained in that the “reaction products containing urethane groups” include different species of the general formula (I) with different values for p and y values.

However, the “reaction products containing urethane groups” may also be molecularly inhomogeneous products. This is the case, for example, when the Y radical present in the R¹ radical is polymeric in nature and hence per se introduces molecular inhomogeneity into the products.

Finally, the “reaction products containing urethane groups” may also be mixtures when the reactants contain, for example, different R¹ and/or Z¹ radicals. The mixtures may be mixtures of chemically homogeneous reaction products containing urethane groups, mixtures of reaction products containing urethane groups that contain polymeric radicals, or mixtures of one or more chemically homogeneous reaction products containing urethane groups with one or more reaction products containing urethane groups and polymeric radicals.

In the context of this invention, the terms “hydroxyl group” and “primary amino group” and “secondary amino group” should be understood in the sense of their general meaning. This means more particularly that they are present as an independent functional group and not part of an overall further functional group. Thus, in the context of this invention, the OH functionality of a carboxyl group is not a hydroxyl functionality.

The invention also relates to a process for preparing the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or of the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein.

In the process of the invention for preparing the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups,

-   -   i) at least one diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is reacted with at least         one monoalcohol Y—OH to form a urethane of the general formula         (III)

Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NCO  (III)

-   -   where         -   R² and Y are as defined above, and     -   ii) p urethanes of the general formula (III) are reacted with at         least one component of the formula (IV)

(HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y)  (IV)

-   -   to give a reaction product containing urethane groups,         comprising one or more species of the general formula (I)

(R¹—X)_(p)—Z¹—(XH)_(y)  (I)

-   -   where w, y, p, R¹, X and Z¹ are as defined above.         Diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂

In the process of the invention, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups are prepared using diisocyanates R²(NCO)₂. Corresponding diisocyanates are known from the prior art. The R² radical corresponding to the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. The organic R² radical may additionally contain uretdione and/or urethane groups, but ones that do not react under the given conditions. This is the case especially when the reaction mixtures do not contain any primary and/or secondary amino groups. It is therefore preferred that, if R² contains uretdione and/or urethane groups, the X group is represented by oxygen atoms.

Preferably, the organic R² radical is in the form of a hydrocarbyl radical, more preferably of an arylene group, of an alkylarylene group and/or of an acyclic, cyclic, branched or unbranched alkylene group.

Diisocyanates of this kind are, for example, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2-methyl-1,5-diisocyanatopentane, 1,5-diisocyanato-2,2-dimethylpentane, 2,2,4- or 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 1,10-diisocyanatodecane, 1,3- and 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,3- and 1,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, 1-isocyanato-3,3,5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethylcyclohexane (isophorone diisocyanate, IPDI), 4,4′-diisocyanatodicyclohexylmethane (H12MDI), tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), 1-isocyanato-1-methyl-4(3) isocyanatomethylcyclohexane, diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), bis(isocyanatomethyl)norbornane and 1,3- and 1,4-bis(2-isocyanatoprop-2-yl)benzene (TMXDI) or mixtures of such diisocyanates. The monomeric diisocyanates mentioned may be used as such or in the form of their oligomeric or polymeric diisocyanate-functional derivatives having uretdione and/or urethane groups.

Examples of diisocyanates available as commercial products are Desmodur T100 (100% 2,4-TDI, Bayer AG), Desmodur T80 (80% 2,4-TDI, 20% 2,6-TDI, Bayer AG), Desmodur T65 (65% 2,4-TDI, 35% 2,6-TDI, Bayer AG), Desmodur N3400 (aliphatic HDI uretdione, Bayer AG), Thanecure T9 (aromatic TDI uretdione, TSE Industries), Crelan VP LS 2147 and Crelan VP LS 2347 (aliphatic IDPI uretdiones, Bayer AG). Preparation of the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups can be accomplished using one or more monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric diisocyanates.

Selectivity with regard to the preparation of the urethane covered by the general formula (III) which is produced in step i) is increased in the process of the invention preferably by using a diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ having two isocyanate groups of different reactivity. More preferably, the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ having two isocyanate groups of different reactivity is selected from the group consisting of toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate.

In the preparation of the urethane of the general formula (III) in step i), the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is used at least in an equimolar ratio to the monoalcohol Y—OH. Preferably, the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is used in step i) in a molar excess, as a result of which a higher selectivity is achieved in that preferably only exactly one NCO group of the diisocyanate is converted in step i).

The greater the molar excess of the diisocyanate, the higher the selectivity normally is with respect to the preparation of the urethane covered by the general formula (III) which is produced in step i). The unconverted diisocyanate that remains owing to use in excess is preferably at least partly (but very substantially completely) removed from the reaction mixture, preferably by distillation, in order ultimately to keep the proportion of by-products formed therefrom at a low level. Preferably at least 75 mol %, more preferably at least 90 mol % and more preferably the entire fraction of the unconverted portion of the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is removed from the reaction mixture. The diisocyanate worsens the quality of the process product and is to considered to be environmentally harmful.

Preferably, in step i), the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is used relative to the monoalcohol Y—OH in a molar ratio of at least 1.1:1.0, more preferably of at least 2.0:1.0 and most preferably of at least 2.5:1.0.

It is most preferred that, in step i), both one or more diisocyanates having isocyanate groups of different reactivity are used and a molar excess of isocyanate component in relation to the monoalcohol

Y—OH is used.

It should be emphasized that the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable by the process of the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein exhibit good dispersing action with regard to a broad spectrum of solids to be dispersed. One way in which this is manifested is that solids having acidic, neutral and basic surfaces can each be effectively dispersed.

The reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable by the process of the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are of particularly high quality and universally usable as wetting agents and dispersants. In specific terms, it can be stated that the reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable in accordance with the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein can be used successfully both in polar and in nonpolar binder systems, and at the same time exhibit excellent compatibility as wetting agents and dispersants or as dispersion stabilizers. This ensures successful use in combination with a wide variety of different binders and coating materials. In addition, the reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable by the process of the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein enable flocculation-free miscibility of pastes, especially pigment pastes, or of the binders produced with these pastes. Furthermore, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are suitable as dispersion stabilizers, especially also as emulsion stabilizers. The use of the reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable by the process of the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein distinctly reduces the viscosity of the millbase introduced during the dispersion and, in this way, enables the production of formulations having a high solids content. In this way, for better environmental compatibility, the proportion of (volatile) solvents can be reduced. In summary, it can be stated that the reaction products containing urethane groups that are preparable by the process of the invention or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, with good stabilization of pigments or fillers, lower the millbase viscosity of corresponding varnishes, pastes or plastics formulations to such an extent that processing is possible at a high fill level without any adverse effect on the stability of the cured varnishes. Finally, it should be mentioned that the process of the invention is performable in a comparatively simple and economically viable manner, and the starting materials used are generally readily available.

Monohydroxy-Functional Alcohol Y—OH

The alcohol Y—OH used in the process of the invention may have additional heteroatoms such as O, S, Si and/or N, or contain ether, urethane, carbonate, amide, urea and/or ester groups. However, the hydroxyl groups, primary amino groups and secondary amino groups that are extremely reactive toward isocyanate groups must not be present in Y. Optionally, in the Y groups, hydrogen may be replaced by halogen (for example fluorine and/or chlorine). The Y radical may bear further groups, such as C═C double bonds, which are inert in the formation of the addition product. Any ester, ether, urethane, carbonate and/or siloxane groups present may be present in block structure (for example poly(ethylene oxide block-propylene oxide block-epsilon-caprolactone), form a gradient or else be in a random arrangement.

Y as Ether Radical or Polyether Radical:

It is also possible to use monohydroxy polyethers as Y—OH. These can be obtained, for example, by alkoxylation of a monohydroxy-functional starter component T-OH. In principle, all Y—OH components described are useful as starter component T-OH. For preparation, for example, alkanols, cycloalkanols or phenols can be reacted with alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, styrene oxide, aliphatic or aromatic glycidyl ethers such as isopropyl glycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, allyl glycidyl ether, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, cresyl glycidyl ether and phenyl glycidyl ether. It is also possible to use mixtures of these raw materials. In the case of mixed polyethers, these may be arranged randomly, in gradient form or in blocks.

These polyethers frequently have a number-average molecular weight (M)_(n) in the range from about 100 to 25 000, particularly frequently from 150 to 15 000 and particularly typically from 200 to 10 000 g/mol.

Preference is given to polyethers based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof.

Examples are hydroxy-functional vinyl compounds, such as hydroxybutyl vinyl ether, monohydroxy-functional polyoxyalkylene monoalcohols, such as allyl polyethers (e.g. Polyglycol A 350, Polyglycol A 500, Polyglycol A 1100, Polyglycol A 11-4, Polyglycol A 20-10 or Polyglycol A 20-20 from Clariant AG or Pluriol® A 010 R, Pluriol® A 11 RE, Pluriol® A 13 R, Pluriol® A 22 R or Pluriol® A 23 R from BASF AG), vinyl polyethers (such as Polyglycol V 500, Polyglycol V 1100 or Polyglycol V 5500 from Clariant AG), methanol-started polyoxyethylene monoalcohols (such as Pluriol® A 350 E, Pluriol® A 500 E, Pluriol® A 750 E, Pluriol® A 1020 E, Pluriol® A 2000 E or Pluriol® A 5010 E from BASF AG), alkanol-started polyoxypropylene monoalcohols (for example Polyglycol B01/20, Polyglycol B01/40, Polyglycol B01/80, Polyglycol B01/120 or Polyglycol B01/240 from Clariant AG or Pluriol® A 1350 P or Pluriol® A 2000 P from BASF AG) and polyalkoxylates that have been started with various fatty alcohols and have a variable degree of alkoxylation (known under the Lutensol® A, Lutensol® AT, Lutensol® AO, Lutensol® TO, Lutensol® XP, Lutensol® XL, Lutensol® AP and Lutensol® ON trade names from BASF SE). Preference is given to using polyoxyalkylene monoalcohols containing ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide and/or butylene oxide groups and optionally modified with styrene oxide, phenyl glycidyl ether or cresyl glycidyl ether. Particular preference is given to the use of polyoxyalkylene monoalcohols (such as Polyglycol B 11/50, Polyglycol B 11/70, Polyglycol B 11/100, Polyglycol B 11/150, Polyglycol B 11/300 or Polyglycol B 11/700 from Clariant AG, Pluriol® A 1000 PE, Pluriol® A 1320 PE, or Pluriol® A 2000 PE from BASF AG or Terralox WA 110 from DOW Chemicals), which are butanol-started polyoxyalkylenes formed from ethylene oxide and propylene oxide with a terminal OH group.

In general, Y contains 1 to 450 ether oxygen atoms which are preferably present in groups having ether oxygen atoms that are derived from polytetrahydrofuran, polyoxetanes and/or polyoxiranes.

Preferably, Y contains 3 to 400 ether oxygen atoms, where at least 50 mol %, preferably at least 80 mol %, of the ether oxygen atoms are present in ethylene oxide and/or polypropylene oxide structural units.

Y as Hydrocarbyl Radical:

The hydrocarbyl radicals are preferably in the form of an aryl radical, of a branched or unbranched aralkyl radical and/or of an acyclic, cyclic branched or unbranched alkyl radical. It is also possible to use mixtures of such compounds, i.e. at least two different compounds Y—OH. The aliphatic or araliphatic compounds Y—OH may be in straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated form. Saturated species are preferred.

Examples of Y—OH with hydrocarbyl radicals are methanol, ethanol, butanol, ethylhexanol, decanol, isotridecyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isobornyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, propargyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, oxo alcohols, neopentyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, fatty alcohols, alkylphenols, alkylnaphthols, phenylethanol.

In addition, Y—OH may be polyolefin monools, such as nonhydrogenated, partly hydrogenated and/or fully hydrogenated polybutadienes, non-hydrogenated, partly hydrogenated and/or fully hydrogenated polyisoprenes, polyisobutylenes, polypropylenes or ethylene/butylene copolymers. These compounds are known. For example, the route to hydroxy-functional polyisobutylenes is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,897.

Y as Ester Radical or Polyester Radical:

As Y—OH it is also possible to use monohydroxy monoesters and monohydroxy polyesters.

Hydroxy-functional acrylates or methacrylates, such as hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, are examples of suitable monohydroxy monoesters.

Polyesters can be prepared, for example, by reaction of dicarboxylic acids and the esterifiable derivatives thereof, such as anhydrides, acid chlorides or dialkyl esters (such as dimethyl esters or diethyl esters) by reaction with diols and monofunctional starter components. The formation of dihydroxy polyesters can be suppressed if required through use of appropriately stoichiometric amounts of monohydroxy compounds. The esterification can be conducted in neat form or else by azeotropic esterification in the presence of an entraining agent. Examples of dicarboxylic acids are succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, pimelic acid, phthalic acid or dimerized fatty acids, and the isomers and hydrogenation products thereof. Examples of corresponding diols are: ethylene glycol, propane-1,2-diol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol, hexane-1,6-diol, neopentyl glycol, cis-1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, trans-1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, and polyglycols based on ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol.

Preferred polyesters for use as Y—OH are those which can be obtained by polycondensation of one or more optionally alkyl-substituted hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or ring-opening polymerization of the corresponding lactones such as propiolactone, valerolactone, butyrolactone, caprolactone and/or substituted lactones by means of a monohydroxy starter component (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,647). Preferably, these have a number-average molecular weight M_(n) of 150 to 5000 g/mol. Usable starter components T-OH are in principle all other compounds listed as Y—OH. It is also possible in each case to use mixtures of the aforementioned compounds. Lactone polymerization is conducted by known processes, initiated, for example, by titanates, p-toluenesulfonic acid or dibutyltin dilaurate, at temperatures of, for instance, 70° C. to 180° C. Particular preference is given to polyesters based on ε-caprolactone, optionally in combination with 8-valerolactone.

Y as Urethane Radical or Polyurethane Radical:

As Y—OH it is also possible to use polyurethanes, polyether-polyurethanes, polyester-polyurethanes and/or polyether-polyester-polyurethanes, which can be obtained by addition reaction of diisocyanates with dihydroxyl compounds in the presence of monofunctional starter components. Hydroxyl compounds used to form the compounds Y—OH containing urethane groups are preferably diols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, polyoxyalkylene glycols and dihydroxy-functional polyesters.

Y as Polycarbonate Radical:

The Y radical may also contain carbonate groups as obtained by known reactions with open-chain and/or cyclic carbonates. Suitable examples are linear polyesters or polycarbonatediols that have been modified with carbonates, as used in polyurethane production. Examples are described in US-4 101 529. Suitable carbonates are, for example, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and/or aromatic carbonic esters, such as dialkyl carbonates, e.g. dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate or diphenyl carbonate, catechol carbonate or cyclic alkylene carbonates. Particularly suitable are cyclic alkylene carbonates having 5- or 6-membered rings, which may optionally be substituted. Preferred substituents are aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic groups having up to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable cyclic alkylene carbonates are ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, glycerol carbonate, trimethylene carbonate, 4-methyltrimethylene carbonate, 5-methyltrimethylene carbonate, 5,5-dimethyltrimethylene carbonate, 5,5-diethyltrimethylene carbonate or 5-methyl-5-propyltrimethylene carbonate.

Y as Polyoxazoline Radical:

It is also possible for monohydroxy-functional poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazolines or poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazines to function as Y—OH. Poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazolines or poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazines are obtained by cationic, ring-opening polymerization of 2-alkyl-2-oxazolines or 2-alkyl-2-oxazines with initiators such as para-toluenesulfonic acid, methyl tosylate or methyl triflate. The oxazolinium or oxazinium end groups that result from the living cationic polymerization mechanism can be converted to the more stable hydroxyamides by alkaline hydrolysis via amino ester end groups. An alternative route for preparation of monohydroxy-functional poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazolines or poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazines is polymerization with 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-methyl-2-oxazolinium trifluoromethanesulfonate as the initiating species (A. Gross, G. Maier, O. Nuyken, Macromol. Chem. Phys. 197, 2811-2826 (1996)). Through choice of the alkyl substituent, it is possible to control the compatibility; for example, poly-2-ethyl-2-oxazoline is suitable for highly polar systems by virtue of its water solubility, while poly-2-lauryl-2-oxazoline, for example, is compatible in nonpolar systems. If block copolymers are formed from 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline and 2-lauryl-2-oxazoline, the polymers feature particularly broad compatibility. Poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazolines or poly-2-alkyl-2-oxazines of this kind usually have a number-average molecular weight M_(n) of 300 to 20 000 g/mol, preferably of 500 to 10 000 g/mol. Among other compounds, it is possible to use various different 2-oxazolines which may possibly have additional functional groups. Species of this kind are, for example, corresponding fatty acid-based 2-oxazolines.

Y as OH-Functional Polymer of Ethylenically Unsaturated Compounds:

As Y—OH it is also possible to use OH-functional polymers of ethnically unsaturated monomers. The OH functions can be introduced in a known manner via monohydroxy-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, via monohydroxy-functional initiators or via monohydroxy-functional chain transfer agents, for example in free-radical polymerization. Particularly high selectivities in relation to the monohydroxy functionality can be achieved by controlled or living polymerization methods, for example ATRP, NMP, RAFT or anionic polymerization. Preference is given to monohydroxy-functional polyacrylic esters or polymethacrylic esters. Compounds of this kind have already been used in this field of industry for preparation of other dispersants, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,698 or in EP 318 999. For example, monohydroxy-functional polyacrylate macromers such as Actflow UMM 1001 from Soken Chemical & Engineering Co. are available. These polyacrylates usually have a number-average molecular weight M_(n) of 300 to 20 000 g/mol, preferably usually from 500 to 10 000 g/mol. These may be arranged in a block structure or else randomly or form a gradient.

Examples of OH-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers are hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic diols having 2 to 36 carbon atoms, such as

-   3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl monomethacrylate, -   2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, -   2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2,5-dimethylhexane-1,6-diol     monomethacrylate; caprolactone- and/or valerolactone-modified     hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates (where the hydroxy (meth)acrylates are     preferably derived from straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic     diols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms); OH-functional poly(ethylene     glycol)(meth)acrylate and OH-functional poly(propylene     glycol)(meth)acrylate.

Examples of further ethylenically unsaturated monomers are

-   alkyl (meth)acrylates of straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic     alcohols having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, such as methyl (meth)acrylate,     ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, i-butyl     (meth)acrylate, t-butyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate,     2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl     (meth)acrylate, isobornyl (meth)acrylate and t-butyl (meth)acrylate;     aralkyl (meth)acrylates such as benzyl methacrylate and aryl     (meth)acrylates such as phenyl acrylate (where the aryl radicals may     each be unsubstituted or up to tetrasubstituted), such as     4-nitrophenyl methacrylate; -   mono(meth)acrylates of ethers, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene     glycols or mixed polyethylene/propylene glycols having 5 to 80     carbon atoms, such as tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate,     methoxyethoxyethyl methacrylate, 1-butoxypropyl methacrylate,     cyclohexyloxymethyl methacrylate, methoxymethoxyethyl methacrylate,     benzyloxymethyl methacrylate, furfuryl methacrylate, 2-butoxyethyl     methacrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl methacrylate, allyloxymethyl     methacrylate, -   1-ethoxybutyl methacrylate, 1-ethoxyethyl methacrylate, ethoxymethyl     methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate,     poly(propylene glycol) methyl ether (meth)acrylate; tertiary     aminoalkyl (meth)acrylates, such as N,N-dimethylaminoethyl     (meth)acrylate, -   2-trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride and     N,N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate; (meth)acrylates of     halogenated alcohols, such as perfluoroalkyl (meth)acrylates having     6 to 20 carbon atoms; styrene and substituted styrenes, such as     4-methylstyrene, methacrylonitrile and acrylonitrile; -   ethylenically unsaturated heterocycles, for example 4-vinylpyridine     and 1-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-2-imidazolidinone; -   vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such     as vinyl acetate; maleimide, N-phenylmaleimide and N-substituted     maleimides with straight-chain, branched or cycloaliphatic alkyl     groups having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, such as N-ethylmaleimide and     N-octylmaleimide; (meth)acrylamide; N-alkyl- and     N,N-dialkyl-substituted acrylamides having straight-chain, branched     or cycloaliphatic alkyl groups having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, such as     N-(t-butyl)acrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide;

Preferred non-OH-functional monomers are alkyl (meth)acrylates, aryl (meth)acrylates, aralkyl (meth)acrylates and styrene.

Y as Polysiloxane Radical:

As Y—OH it is also possible to use monohydroxy-functional polysiloxanes.

The polysiloxanes can preferably be described by the following general formula:

-   with -   T=C₁-C₁₄-alkylene, -   RK=unbranched polyether radical formed from alkylene oxide units     having 1-6 carbon atoms, and/or aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic     and/or aromatic polyester radical having a weight-average molecular     weight between 200 and 4000 g/mol, -   R¹³ and R¹⁴ are each independently represented by     -   C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, -aryl or -aralkyl, —O(C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, -aryl or         -aralkyl), —OCO(C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, -aryl or -aralkyl),         —O—CO—O(C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, -aryl or -aralkyl), —OSO₂(C₁-C₁₄-alkyl,         -aryl or -aralkyl), —H, —Cl, —F, —OH, —R, —RK, -   R¹⁵═C₁-C₁₄-alkyl, -aryl or -aralkyl, -   a=0-20, preferably 1-15, more preferably 1-8, -   b=2-300, preferably 10-200, more preferably 15-100.

The polysiloxane radicals may also take the form of organomodified polysiloxane radicals.

Preparation of Urethanes of the General Formula (III) from Y—OH and R²(NCO)₂

The urethanes of the general formula (III) are also referred to hereinafter, especially in the examples, as monoadducts M.

In the process of the invention, the isocyanate addition, according to the reactivity of the individual coreactants, can be effected within the temperature range which is customary for this kind of reaction from room temperature to about 150° C., preferably to 100° C., more preferably to 70° C. For acceleration and to reduce the level of side reactions, it is possible to use the known and customary catalysts, such as tertiary amines, triethylamine, dimethylcyclohexylamine, N-methylmorpholine, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, 2-(dimethylaminoethoxy)ethanol, diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane and the like, and also especially organic metal compounds, such as titanic esters, iron compounds such as iron(III) acetylacetonate, tin compounds, for example tin diacetate, tin dioctoate, tin dilaurate or the dialkyl derivatives of tin dialkyl salts of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dilaurate or the like. These catalysts are typically used in amounts of 0.0001 to 0.1 part by weight per 100 parts by weight of diisocyanate.

Component (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y)

The Z¹ group, which can be referred to as the head group, is preferably incorporated by reacting a component of the formula (IV)

(HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y)  (IV)

-   -   with p, y, X and Z¹ as defined for the general formula (I)         with the urethanes of formula (III). Where X is the same or         different and is represented by O, NH or NZ², XH is         independently a hydroxyl group OH, a primary amino group NH₂         and/or a secondary amino group NHZ², and p is in the range from         2 to 10, with Z² the same or different and represented by a         branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical         G(U)_(a) where U is independently a hydroxyl group, a primary         amino group or a secondary amino group and a is an integer from         0 to 8, where w+a≤10 with p+y=w.

The restriction of the sum total of w+a to not more than 10 takes account of the fact that the possible organic Z² radical(s) can have HX groups that are also reactive toward isocyanate groups. However, it is essential to the invention that a species of the general formula (I) contains not more than a sufficient number of HX groups that the sum total of all y+a HX groups and all p R¹—X radicals does not exceed a maximum number of 10.

The G group is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical containing preferably 1 to 100 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 60 carbon atoms, especially preferably 1 to 30 and most preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

The organic G radical does not have any HX groups reactive toward isocyanate groups. However, the organic G radical may optionally also contain heteroatoms, especially oxygen and/or nitrogen atoms. These are preferably in the form of ether oxygen atoms and/or tertiary amino groups.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, X is the same or different and is represented by NH and/or NZ².

Z¹ is represented by a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which contains at least one tertiary nitrogen group and is free of XH groups. Preferably, the organic Z radical contains from 1 to 150 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 80 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 40 and most preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the at least one tertiary nitrogen group in the Z¹ radical is in the form of a tertiary amino group.

Preferred components (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) are components that are a compound, i.e. have a specific molecular weight, and hence Z¹ is not polymeric.

Particular preference is given to compounds (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) having a specific molecular weight in the range from 89 g/mol to 1000 g/mol. Further preferred is a molecular weight range from 89 g/mol to 700 g/mol, even further preferred a molecular weight range from 89 g/mol to 500 g/mol and most preferred a molecular weight range from 89 g/mol to 300 g/mol.

Additionally particularly preferred compounds (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) are amino alcohols having at least one tertiary amino group having a sum total of 2 to 10 OH, NH₂ and/or NHZ² groups, and polyamines having at least one tertiary amino group and 2 to 10 primary and/or secondary amino groups.

Examples of commercially available compounds (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) are, for example, amino alcohols having tertiary amino groups and a sum total of 2 to 10 OH, NH₂ and/or NHZ² groups, for example trialkanolamines such as triethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, N-alkyldialkanolamines such as N-methyldiethanolamine, N-butyldiethanolamine, N-methyldiisopropanolamine, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)octadecylamine, N-alkyl(aminoalkyl)hydroxyalkylamines such as aminopropylmethylethanolamine, N,N-dialkyl(dihydroxyalkyl)amines such as 3-(diethylamino)propane-1,2-diol, tetrakis(hydroxyalkyl)alkylenediamines such as tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine, dialkylaminoalkyldialkanolamines such as dimethylaminopropyldipropanolamines, N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N,N-diisopropanolamine, N-aryldialkanolamines such as N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)aniline, N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-p-toluidine, N-alkanolpiperazines such as N-(2′-hydroxyethyl)piperazine and hexaalkylol-2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazoles such as hexamethylol-2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine and 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione.

Likewise suitable are polyamines having at least one tertiary amino group and 2 to 10 primary and/or secondary amino groups, for example trisaminoalkylamines such as tris(2-aminoethyl)amine, tris(2-aminopropyl)amine, tris(3-aminopropyl)amine, N-alkyldiaminoalkylamines such as N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, N,N-dimethyldialkylenetriamines such as N,N-dimethyldipropylenetriamine, heterocyclic amines such as 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine and polyethyleneimines having 2 to primary and/or secondary amino groups.

The reaction products containing urethane groups prepared by the process of the invention—without aftertreatment or purification—typically contain small amounts of diurethane and diurea which arise from side reactions. Possible side reactions are the double reaction of a diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ with a monoalcohol Y—OH to form a diurethane of the general formula Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NH—CO—O—Y, and the double reaction of a diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ with a species of the general formula (IV) to form one or more species of the general formula (HX)_(y+(p-1))—Z¹—(X—CO—NH—R²—NH—CO—X)—Z¹—(XH)^(y+(p-1)). According to the definition of the X group, the latter reaction gives rise to diurethanes when X═O; to diureas when X ═NH or NZ², and to ureaurethanes if X is different than O and NH/NZ².

Correspondingly small amounts of these by-products do not cause any detriment at all with regard to use as wetting agents and dispersants, and are a clear pointer that the reaction products containing urethane groups have been prepared using monohydroxy compounds by the process of the invention. In addition, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups may also contain a small amount of the unconverted urethane of the formula (III). The use of appropriate amounts of the amine in the second step of the process of the invention allows the proportion of the urethane of the general formula (III) to be reduced generally at least almost to zero, which is usually advantageous for the quality of the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups. Corresponding reactions in step ii) of the process of the invention are preferably considered to have ended when an NCO content of <0.1% is found. The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups are environmentally friendly, have good storability and—in a corresponding manner to the inventive species of the general formula (I) as such—exhibit excellent properties as wetting agents and dispersants.

A further group of compounds (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) can be obtained by modification of amino alcohols, amines and polyamines containing primary or secondary amino groups with a modifying component MZ bearing epoxy and/or acrylic ester groups.

By epoxy addition or Michael addition of acrylic esters, it is possible to convert primary amines to secondary amines and secondary amines to tertiary amines. The reaction of an epoxy group with a primary or secondary amino group always also gives rise to an OH group. By addition of hydroxy-functional acrylic esters, it is likewise possible to obtain additional OH groups. By addition of di- or polyfunctional epoxides or acrylates, it is possible to obtain compounds having multiple functional groups.

For example, by addition of hydroxy-functional acrylates, for example hydroxyethyl acrylate, or epoxides, for example 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, onto amino alcohols having secondary amino groups, for example N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aniline, it is possible to obtain compounds having one tertiary amino group and two hydroxyl groups, as shown by way of example in scheme 1 below:

In the case of amino alcohols or other amines having primary amino groups, these can be converted to tertiary amines by reaction with 2 mol of the modifying component M, as shown by way of example in scheme 2 below:

A formula example for the addition of polyfunctional epoxides is shown in scheme 3:

The aforementioned reactions with epoxides or hydroxyacrylates are appropriately effected with a temperature range from 20 to 140° C., preferably at not more than 120° C. and more preferably at not more than 100° C.

The reaction with the epoxides gives rise to a secondary hydroxyl group and to a secondary or tertiary amino group on the nitrogen atom involved in the reaction.

Examples of amines suitable for reaction with the component MZ are, for example, aliphatic and araliphatic amines having at least one primary or secondary amino group, such as butylamine, ethylhexylamine, benzylamine, oleylamine, dibutylamine, xylylenediamine, 1,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)benzene; aliphatic and araliphatic amino alcohols having at least one primary or secondary amino group, such as ethanolamine, butanolamine, diethanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-amino-1-butanol, 2-amino-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol, 2-amino-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol, 1-aminopropane-2,3-diol, 2-aminopropane-1,3-diol, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane; and aliphatic and araliphatic diamines having one tertiary amino group and one primary or secondary amino group, such as 2-(diethylamino)ethylamine, 3-(dimethylamino)propylamine, 3-(diethylamino)propylamine, N,N-diethylbutane-1,4-diamine, 1-diethylamino-4-aminopentane, N-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole, N-(3-aminopropyl)morpholine, N-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine, 2-picolylamine, 1-methylpiperazine, aminoethylpiperazine.

Examples of polyfunctional acrylates suitable as component MZ are: di-, tri-, tetrafunctional polyester acrylates, polyether acrylates, polyether/ester acrylates, urethane or epoxy acrylates, mono-, di-, tri- or polyalkylene glycol diacrylates, for example mono-, di-, tri- or polyethylene glycol diacrylate, mono-, di-, tri- or polypropylene glycol diacrylate, butanediol diacrylate, hexane-1,6-diol diacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, neopentyl glycol propyleneoxy diacrylate, tricyclodecanediol diacrylate, glycerol diacrylate, glycerol triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, di(trimethylol propane) tetraacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate.

Examples of polyfunctional epoxides are: mono-, di-, tri- or polyalkylene glycol diglycidyl ethers, for example: mono-, di-, tri- or polyethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, propanediol diglycidyl ether, di-, tri- or polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether, butane-1,4-diol diglycidyl ether, hexane-1,6-diol diglycidyl ether, cyclohexanedimethanol diglycidyl ether, neopentyl glycol diglycidyl ether, glycerol triglycidyl ether, di-, tri- or polyglycerol triglycidyl ether, trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, pentaerythritol tetraglycidyl ether, dipentaerythritol pentaglycidyl ether. Bisphenol A-based diglycidyl ethers, epoxyphenol novolak, and epoxycresol novolak.

Examples of monofunctional acrylates are alkyl acrylates, for example methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, i-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, i-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate and lauryl acrylate; monoacrylates of short-chain ethers, such as tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, methoxyethoxyethyl acrylate, 1-butoxypropyl acrylate, cyclohexyloxymethyl acrylate, methoxymethoxyethyl acrylate, benzyloxymethyl acrylate, furfuryl acrylate, 2-butoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl acrylate, allyloxymethyl acrylate, 1-ethoxybutyl acrylate, 1-ethoxyethyl acrylate and ethoxymethyl acrylate.

Suitable hydroxy-functional acrylates are, for example, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propoxy]propyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate, polyethylene glycol acrylates, for example the AE-90, AE-200 and AE-400 products sold by NOF under the BLEMMER® trade name, polypropylene glycol acrylates for example the AP-150, AP-400 and AP-550 products sold by NOF under the BLEMMER® trade name and lactone-modified hydroxyethyl acrylates, for example the FA products sold by the DAICEL Corporation under the Placcel trade name.

Suitable monofunctional epoxides are, for example, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aromatic glycidyl ethers, for example C₁-C₂₀-alkyl glycidyl ethers, phenyl glycidyl ether, cresyl glycidyl ether, naphthyl glycidyl ether, butyl glycidyl ether, p-tert-butylphenyl glycidyl ether, 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether, C₁₂-C₁₄ glycidyl ethers, allyl glycidyl ether, 2,3-epoxypropyl neodecanoate (Cardura® E 10, Resolution Performance Products).

Solvent

According to viscosity, the process of the invention can be conducted in neat form or in the presence of suitable solvents, solvent mixtures or other suitable carrier media. Suitable solvents or carrier media are all those that are unreactive or whose reactivity toward the coreactants under the reaction conditions chosen is negligible and in which the reactants and the reaction products are at least partly soluble. Examples of these include hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic petroleum fractions, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as chloroform, trichloroethane, cyclic and acyclic ethers such as dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ethers such as dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, butyrolactone, dimethyl 2-methylglutarate, triacetin, phthalates or other plasticizers, di- or polycarboxylic esters, dialkyl esters of C₂-C₄ dicarboxylic acids that are referred to as “dibasic esters”, alkyl glycol esters such as ethyl glycol acetate, methoxypropyl acetate, ketones such as methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, acetone, acid amides such as dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone and the like.

For the performance of the above-described reactions, the solvents should appropriately be selected such that they are inert with respect to the reactants under the reaction conditions.

Appropriately, the solvent(s) or carrier media are selected already taking account of the planned field of use. For example, for use in water-thinnable varnish systems or for coating of pigments in aqueous suspension after the pigment synthesis, preference is given to using solvents that are fully or partly water-thinnable. If the process product is to be used, for example, at a location where the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is undesirable, the formulation should be in very substantially solvent-free form or in carrier materials that are correspondingly regarded as being VOC-free.

According to the field of use, the solvents used for the synthesis may remain in the reaction mixture or are wholly or partly removed and optionally replaced by other solvents or carrier media.

The solvent may be wholly or partly removed, for example, by distillation, optionally under reduced pressure and/or by azeotropic means with addition of water. The active substance (compound of the general formula (I)) may alternatively be isolated by precipitation by means of addition of nonsolvents such as aliphatic hydrocarbons, for example hexane, followed by separation by means of filtration and optionally drying. The active substance obtained by one of these methods can then be partly dissolved in a solvent suitable for the particular field of use or, if appropriate, be used in pure form, for example in powder coatings, or applied to inert supports. For applications in which the use of solids is preferred, such as powder coatings or particular plastics processing methods, the compounds can also be converted to a solid form by further known methods. Examples of such processes are microencapsulation, spray-drying, adsorption on a solid support such as SiO₂, or the PGSS (particles from gas saturated solutions) method.

Modifications

In a further embodiment, the XH groups still present in the inventive reaction product containing urethane groups, i.e. OH groups and/or primary and/or secondary amino groups, can be converted further in a subsequent reaction, for example reacted with carboxylic anhydrides. In that case, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups serve as intermediates in the preparation of modified, likewise inventive reaction products containing urethane groups. The modified products can be used in the same fields as the as yet unmodified inventive reaction products containing urethane groups. The modification can, for example, increase or adjust the compatibility of the reaction products with respect to particular media.

The tertiary amino groups can also be converted to amine oxides with oxygen, peroxo compounds such as percarboxylic acids and with hydrogen peroxide, and these can additionally be converted to salts with acids, for example hydrochloric acid.

Salt Conversion Products

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) present therein contain tertiary amino groups. All or some of these may be converted to salts. The tertiary amino groups may, for example, be converted to corresponding ammonium salts with acids such as carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid derivatives, for example carbonyl halides, or phosphoric acids and esters thereof. In that case, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups serve as intermediates in the preparation of likewise inventive reaction products containing urethane groups that have been converted to salts. The products that have been converted to salts can be used in the same fields as the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups that have not been converted to salts. Conversion to salts can, for example, increase or adjust the compatibility of the reaction products with respect to particular media or affect the interaction with solid particles such as pigments and/or fillers.

Quaternization Products

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) present therein preferably contain tertiary amino groups. All or some of these may be converted to corresponding quaternary ammonium salts by reaction with quaternizing reagents. In that case, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups serve as intermediates in the preparation of quaternized, likewise inventive reaction products containing urethane groups. The quaternized products can be used in the same fields as the unquaternized inventive reaction products containing urethane groups. Quaternization can, for example, increase or adjust the compatibility of the reaction products with respect to particular media or affect the interaction with solid particles such as pigments and/or fillers.

Suitable quaternizing reagents may be chosen, for example, from the group of the alkyl halides and aralkyl halides or aralkyl compounds having leaving groups, such as triflate, methylsulfate or tosylate, which can enter into nucleophilic substitution reactions with tertiary amines, or oxiranes such as alkylene oxides or glycidyl ethers, in the presence of acids or derivatives thereof, such as carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids or phosphoric acids and the esters or halides thereof.

Examples of suitable quaternizing reagents are benzyl chloride, 2- or 4-vinylbenzyl chloride, methyl chloride, methyl iodide, methyl tosylate or dimethyl sulfate. Preference is given to benzyl chloride and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride.

A further means of quaternization is the use of glycidyl ethers in the presence of acids. Examples of suitable glycidyl ethers are glycidyl methacrylate, alkyl glycidyl ethers such as 2-ethylhexyl glycidyl ether and C13/C15 glycidyl ethers (trade name, for example, Grilonit RV 1814) or aryl glycidyl ethers such as cresyl glycidyl ether. Acids suitable for this quaternization reaction are, for example, carboxylic acids such as benzoic acid, acetic acid or lactic acid. Further acids are acidic phosphoric esters having one or two ester groups.

Inventive Use

The present invention further relates to the use of the above-described inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or of the species of the general formula (I) present therein as an additive, preferably as a wetting agent and/or dispersant and/or dispersion stabilizer in compositions such as solid blends or coatings, especially varnishes, plastics, pigment pastes, sealants, cosmetics, ceramics, adhesives, potting compounds, spackling compounds, printing inks and other inks.

The invention also relates to the compositions detailed above, such as solid blends or coatings, especially varnishes, plastics, pigment pastes, sealants, cosmetics, ceramics, adhesives, potting compounds, spackling compounds, printing inks and other inks. The solid blends preferably contain particles and/or fibers that have been treated with the above-described inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein.

Finally, the invention relates to varnishes and plastics comprising the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein.

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein find use, for example, as aluminum passivators, dispersants, dispersion stabilizers or wetting agents and can be used, for example, in pigmented and/or filler-containing products, for example pigment concentrates or pastes, coating compositions, sealants, plastics, ceramics, cosmetics, adhesives, potting compounds, spackling compounds, printing inks and/or other inks. Preference is given to pigment concentrates which can be mixed with appropriate letdown systems, by means of which pigmented varnishes are produced.

For example, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein may be used, for example, in the production or processing of varnishes, printing inks, other inks, for example for inkjet printing, paper coating, leather and textile dyes, pastes, pigment concentrates, ceramics, adhesives and sealants, potting compounds, plastics and cosmetic formulations, especially when these contain solids such as pigments and/or fillers (including fibrous fillers).

It is also possible to use these in the production or processing of molding to compounds based on synthetic, semisynthetic or natural macromolecular substances, such as polyvinyl chloride, saturated or unsaturated polyesters, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, polyacrylates, polyimides, epoxy resins, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. For example, these can be used for production of potting compounds, casting compounds, PVC plastisols, gelcoats, polymer concrete, printed circuit boards, industrial varnishes, wood and furniture varnishes, motor vehicle paints, marine paints, anticorrosion paints, can and coil coatings or decorating paints and architectural paints.

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein can be used not just in letdown systems for pigmented varnishes. It is likewise possible to use them in a wide range of formulations or products, such as resins, oils, greases, lubricants, rubber materials, sealants, printing inks, other inks, adhesives, waxes or coating compositions. The concentrates can also be used in formulations which are produced in the personal care industry or in electrical applications in the electronics industry, in the marine industry, in the context of medical applications, in the construction industry or in the automobile industry. Examples include electronic paper, such as the display in E-books, the encapsulation of microelectronic chips and printed circuit boards, underwater skin coatings for ships, such as antifouling coatings, silicone tubes or sliding additives for brake components.

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein can advantageously also be used in the production of color filters for liquid-crystal displays, liquid-crystal screens, color resolution devices, sensors, plasma screens, SED-based displays (Surface conduction Electron emitter Display), and for MLCCs (multilayer ceramic compounds). MLCC technology is employed in the production of microchips and printed circuit boards.

Use in cosmetic preparations can serve, for example, for production of cosmetic formulations such as makeup, face powder, lipsticks, hair dyes, creams, nail varnishes and sunscreen preparations. These may be in the customary forms, for example in the form of W/O or O/N emulsions, solutions, gels, creams, lotions or sprays. The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein can advantageously be used in dispersions used for production of these formulations. These may comprise the carrier media that are customary for these purposes in cosmetics, such as water, castor oils or silicone oils, and solids such as organic and inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxide.

Mention should likewise be made of the fields of use of NIP (nonimpact printing), inkjet printing (on paper, film, ceramic or synthetic and natural fiber fabric), dispersing of ceramics (in aqueous or anhydrous form), dispersing in potting compounds. The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein may also be used in the aforementioned formulations and fields of use as they are, i.e. without having been incorporated into an appropriate concentrate beforehand.

Typically, the product comprising the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein and also pigments and/or fillers is a varnish, or a pigment concentrate for coating compositions. Ultimately, however, it is possible to use the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein in any pigment-containing and/or filler-containing products.

More particularly, the pigment concentrates are compositions which, as well as the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, comprise, for example, organic solvents and at least one pigment. The latter especially contain only small proportions, if any, of organic polymers as binders. Known binders of this kind are advantageously present in the corresponding letdown systems and are described hereinafter.

Organic solvents used are especially the typical organic solvents that are known to the person skilled in the art and are used in the field of the coatings and paints industry, such as aliphatic solvents, cycloaliphatic solvents, aromatic solvents such as toluene, xylene, solvent naphtha, ethers, esters and/or ketones, for example butyl glycol, butyl diglycol, butyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone and/or solvents such as methoxypropyl acetate, diacetone alcohol. Pigments used are the pigments known to those skilled in the art. Frequently, combinations of various pigments are used to obtain the desired properties.

Examples of pigments are monoazo, diazo, triazo and polyazo pigments, oxazine pigments, dioxazine pigments, thiazine pigments, diketopyrrolopyrroles, phthalocyanines, ultramarine and other metal complex pigments, indigoid pigments, diphenylmethane pigments, triarylmethane pigments, xanthene pigments, acridine pigments, quinacridone pigments, methine pigments, anthraquinone, pyranthrone pigments and perylene pigments and other polycyclic carbonyl pigments, inorganic pigments such as carbon black pigments and/or pigments based on carbon black, graphite, zinc, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zinc sulfide, zinc phosphate, barium sulfate, lithopone, iron oxide, ultramarine, manganese phosphate, cobalt aluminate, cobalt stannate, cobalt zincate, antimony oxide, antimony sulfide, chromium oxide, zinc chromate, mixed metal oxides based on nickel, bismuth, vanadium, molybdenum, cadmium, titanium, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iron, chromium, antimony, magnesium, aluminum (for example nickel titanium yellow, bismuth vanadate molybdate yellow or chromium titanium yellow), magnetic pigments based on pure iron, iron oxides and chromium oxides or mixed oxides, metal effect pigments comprising aluminum, zinc, copper or brass and also pearlescent pigments or fluorescent and phosphorescent luminous pigments. Further examples are nanoscale organic or inorganic solids having particle sizes below 100 nm in at least one dimension, such as certain types of carbon black or other allotropic forms of carbon, such as single-wall CNTs, multiwall CNTs and graphene. The particle size is determined, for example, by means of transmission electron microscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation or methods of light scattering. Mention should likewise be made of particles consisting of a metal or semimetal oxide or hydroxide, and also particles consisting of mixed metal and/or semimetal oxides or hydroxides. For example, the oxides and/or oxide hydroxides of aluminum, silicon, zinc, titanium, etc., can be used to produce such extremely finely divided solids. These oxide or hydroxide or oxide-hydroxide particles can be produced by a wide variety of different processes, for example ion exchange processes, plasma processes, sol-gel processes, precipitation, comminution (for example by grinding) or flame hydrolysis. All the aforementioned pigments may be in surface-modified form and have basic, acidic or neutral groups at the surface.

Further examples are the following pigments listed under their Color Index number (C.I.):

Examples of red pigments are C. I. Pigment Red 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 37, 38, 41, 47, 48, 48:1, 48:2, 48:3, 48:4, 49, 49:1, 49:2, 50:1, 52:1, 52:2, 53, 53:1, 53:2, 53:3, 57, 57:1, 57:2, 58:4, 60, 63, 63:1, 63:2, 64, 64:1, 68, 69, 81, 81:1, 81:2, 81:3, 81:4, 83, 88, 90:1, 101, 101:1, 104, 108, 108:1, 109, 112, 113, 114, 122, 123, 144, 146, 147, 149, 151, 166, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 181, 184, 185, 187, 188, 190, 193, 194, 200, 202, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 214, 216, 220, 221, 224, 230, 231, 232, 233, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 242, 243, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, and 276.

Examples of blue pigments are C. I. Pigment Blue 1, 1:2, 9, 14, 15, 15:1, 15:2, 15:3, 15:4, 15:6, 16, 17, 19, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33, 35, 36, 56, 56:1, 60, 61, 61:1, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, and 79.

Examples of green pigments are C. I. Pigment Green 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 26, 36, 45, 48, 50, 51, 54, 55, 58 or 59.

Examples of yellow pigments are C. I. Pigment Yellow 1, 1:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 24, 31, 32, 34, 35, 35:1, 36, 36:1, 37, 37:1, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 53, 55, 61, 62, 62:1, 63, 65, 73, 74, 75, 81, 83, 87, 93, 94, 95, 97, 100, 101, 104, 105, 108, 109, 110, 111, 116, 117, 119, 120, 126, 127, 127:1, 128, 129, 133, 134, 136, 138, 139, 142, 147, 148, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 188, 189, 190, 191, 191:1, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, and 208.

Examples of violet pigments are C. I. Pigment Violet 1, 1:1, 2, 2:2, 3, 3:1, 3:3, 5, 5:1, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 32, 37, 39, 42, 44, 47, 49, and 50.

Examples of orange pigments are C. I. Pigment Orange 1, 2, 5, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 34, 36, 38, 39, 43, 46, 48, 49, 61, 62, 64, 65, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, and 79.

Examples of black pigments are C. I. Pigment Black 7, 11, 30, 33. If the respective products, especially the coating compositions, comprise fillers, these are, for example, the fillers known to those skilled in the art. Examples of pulverulent or fibrous fillers are, for example, those formed from pulverulent or fibrous particles of aluminum oxide, aluminum hydroxide, silicon dioxide, kieselguhr, siliceous earth, quartz, silica gel, talc, kaolin, mica, perlite, feldspar, ground shale, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, calcite, dolomite, glass or carbon. The fibers used may be organic and/or inorganic in nature and may likewise be used as reinforcing agents. Further examples of pigments or fillers can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,796. It is likewise also possible for flame retardants, if the compounds of the invention are not already being used in customary additive amounts for this purpose, such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, and flatting agents, such as silicas, to be dispersed and stabilized particularly efficiently by means of the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein.

The inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are especially also suitable for production of solids concentrates, such as pigment concentrates. For this purpose, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are initially charged in a carrier medium, such as organic solvents, plasticizers and/or water, and the solids to be dispersed are added while stirring. In addition, these concentrates may comprise binders and/or other auxiliaries. However, it is especially possible to use the inventive reaction products-containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein to produce stable binder-free pigment concentrates. It is likewise possible to use the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein to produce free-flowing solids concentrates from pigment presscakes. This is done by mixing the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein into the presscake, which may still comprise organic solvents, plasticizers and or water, and dispersing the mixture thus obtained. The solids concentrates produced in various ways can then be incorporated into different substrates, for example alkyd resins, polyester resins, acrylate resins, polyurethane resins or epoxy resins. Pigments can alternatively be dispersed in a solvent-free manner directly into the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, and are then particularly suitable for pigmentation of thermoplastic and thermoset plastics formulations.

Use Amounts

According to the field of use, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are used in such amounts that, in the product of ultimate interest for further use, there is preferably a proportion of the wetting agent and dispersant of the invention, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) present therein, of 0.01% to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of the respective product. Alternatively, higher proportions are possible.

Based on the solids to be dispersed, for example the pigment, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are used in an amount of preferably 0.5% to 100% by weight. If solids that are difficult to disperse are used, the amount of wetting agent and dispersant of the invention used, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) present therein, may quite possibly be higher. The amount is generally dependent on the surface area of the substance to be dispersed which is to be covered. A factor of significance may thus, for example, be what kind of pigment is involved. In general, it can be stated that less dispersant is usually needed for dispersion of inorganic pigments than for organic pigments, since the latter usually have a higher specific surface area and therefore a greater amount of dispersant is needed. Typical dosages of the wetting agent and dispersant, i.e. the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, are, for example, 1% to 20% by weight for inorganic pigments and 10% to 50% by weight for organic pigments, based in each case on the solids to be dispersed, especially the pigment. In the case of very finely divided pigments (for example some carbon blacks), even added amounts of 30% to 90% or may be advisable. Criteria employed for sufficient pigment stabilization may, for example, be gloss and transparency of the coating compositions or the degree of floating. The dispersion of the solids can be effected in the form of an individual dispersion or else as a mixed dispersion with multiple pigments at the same time, the best results generally being achievable in individual dispersions. In the case of use of mixtures of different solids, opposing charges on the surfaces of the solids may result in increased agglomeration in the liquid phase. In these cases, when the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are used, it is frequently possible to achieve the same charge, generally a positive charge, of all particles and hence to avoid instabilities resulting from differences in charge. The dispersants, i.e. the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of general formula (I) that are present therein, achieve their optimal effect when added to the millbase, especially when the solid to be dispersed is at first mixed solely with the additive and optionally solvents (“premix”), since the additive can then be preferably adsorbed onto the surface of the solids without having to compete with the binder polymers. In practice, however, this course of action is necessary only in exceptional cases. If required, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein can also be used subsequently (as what are called “post-additives”), for example in order to solve floating or flocculation problems in a batch that has already been let down. In general, however, elevated additive dosages are required in this case.

The products, especially the coating compositions or varnishes in which the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein are ultimately to display their effects, may additionally comprise an organic polymer as a further binder. Binders of this kind are known to those skilled in the art. This at least one further binder may be introduced, for example, via a letdown system which is mixed, for example, with a pigment concentrate comprising the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, such that the product in question is a pigmented varnish. Alternatively, other pigmented and/or filler-containing products are possible, for example plastics, sealants and further products based on an organic polymeric matrix that are known to those skilled in the art. A product is considered to be a system which comprises a polymeric resin or organic polymer as binder and hence is capable of forming a solid organic, polymeric matrix under suitable curing conditions (for example a coating composition). A product likewise refers to a system which, through simple mixing with a component comprising a binder, is capable of forming such an organic polymeric matrix (for example a pigment concentrate). Nonexclusive examples of materials used include the alkyd resins, polyester resins, acrylate resins, polyurethane resins, cellulose nitrates, cellulose acetobutyrates, melamines, chloro rubbers and/or epoxy resins that are known to those skilled in the art. Examples of water-based coatings are cathodic or anodic electrocoats, for example for automobile bodywork. Further examples are renders, silicate paints, disperse dyes, water-based varnishes based on water-thinnable alkyds, alkyd emulsions, hybrid systems, 2-component systems, polyurethane dispersions and acrylate dispersions.

Both 1-component systems and 2-component systems are possible, in which latter case there are generally also polyisocyanates, melamine resins and/or polyamide resins present as the typical crosslinking agents familiar to the person skilled in the art in a second component. Preference is given to product systems, especially coating compositions, comprising an acrylate resin as binder. A further variant concerns a 2-component (2K) coating composition or a 2K varnish comprising an epoxy resin in the binder component and a polyamide resin in the crosslinker component.

The coating compositions that are preferred as products may be water-based or solvent-based. “Water-based” is understood to mean that the coating composition comprises mainly water as solvent. More particularly, in the case of a water-based coating composition, preferably not more than 10% by weight of organic solvents, based on the total amount of solvents, is present in the coating composition. A solvent-based coating composition is considered to be one that contains not more than 5% by weight, preferably not more than 2% by weight, of water, based on the total amount of solvents.

Useful further product components include, for example, photoinitiators, defoamers, wetting agents, film-forming auxiliaries, such as cellulose derivatives (for example cellulose nitrates, cellulose acetates, cellulose acetobutyrate), reactive diluents, leveling agents, dispersants and/or rheology control additives.

The production of the pigment concentrates and coating composition that are preferred as products is effected via methods familiar to those skilled in the art. The known methods are used, for example stepwise addition with stirring and mixing of the constituents of the coating composition in customary mixing units, such as stirred tanks or dissolvers.

Using the preferred pigment concentrates and coating compositions, it is possible to produce coatings or varnish layers. The coating is produced via techniques of application to a substrate that are familiar to those skilled in the art and subsequent curing methods.

Application is effected, for example, by the known injecting, spraying, painting, rolling, pouring, impregnating and/or dipping methods. The application of the coating composition to a substrate is followed by curing or drying by standard methods. For example, the coating composition applied may be curable by physical drying, by thermal means and/or with application of actinic radiation (radiative curing), preferably UV radiation and electron beams. Thermal curing can be effected, for example, in the range from about 10° C. to about 400° C., according to the nature of the coating composition and/or the substrate. The duration of curing is also individually dependent, for example, on the nature of the curing method (thermal or actinic), the nature of the coating composition used and/or the substrates. The substrate here may be moving or else at rest.

As well as the above-described application as a dispersant and/or coating for pulverulent and fibrous solids, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein may also be used as viscosity reducers and compatibilizers in synthetic resins. Examples of synthetic resins of this kind are what are called the “sheet molding compounds” (SMCs) and “bulk molding compounds” (BMCs), which consist of unsaturated polyester resins with a high filler and fiber content. The production and processing thereof is described by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,195. A problem with SMC and BMC synthetic resin mixtures is that polystyrene (PS) is often added to the formulation in order to reduce shrinkage during the processing operation. PS is incompatible with the unsaturated polyester resins used, and the components separate. In the case of use of PS-filled SMC or BMC mixtures, the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, because of their good dispersion qualities, can bring about compatibilization between PS and unsaturated polyester resin, which increases the storage stability and processing reliability of such mixtures.

By means of the inventive reaction products containing urethane groups or the species of the general formula (I) that are present therein, it is possible to achieve phase transfer effects, for example, in incompatible polyol mixtures, polyol-isocyanate mixtures or polyol-blowing agent mixtures (as used, for example, in polyurethane production).

The present invention is additionally elucidated hereinafter by examples which follow.

EXAMPLES

In the case of molecularly inhomogeneous substances, the stated molecular weights are number-average values. The molecular weights or number-average molecular weights M_(n), in the event that titratable hydroxyl or amino groups are present, are determined by end group determination via the finding of the OH number or the amine number. In the case of compounds to which end group determination is not applicable, the number-average molecular weight is determined by means of gel permeation chromatography against a polystyrene standard.

Unless stated otherwise, figures in parts are

parts by weight and figures in percent are percent by weight.

Solids Content

The sample (2.0±0.1 g of test substance) is weighed into an aluminum dish that has been dried beforehand and dried in a drying cabinet at 150° C. for 10 minutes, cooled down in a desiccator, and then re-weighed. The residue corresponds to the solids content.

NCO Number

The free NCO content of the polyisocyanates being used and the course of reaction of the NCO additions is determined according to EN ISO 9369 by reaction with butylamine and subsequent titration of the excess of amine. These methods are also described in Saul Patai “The Chemistry of Cyanates and their Thioderivates”, Part 1, Chapter 5, 1977.

OH Number

The OH number is determined according to DIN ISO 4629 by acetylation with an excess of acetic anhydride. Subsequently, the excess acetic anhydride is hydrolyzed to acetic acid by addition of water and back-titrated with ethanolic KOH solution. The OH number indicates the amount of KOH in mg equivalent to the amount of acetic acid bound in the acetylation of 1 g of substance.

Amine Number

The amine number (AN) is understood to mean the amount of KOH in mg corresponding to the amine content of 1 g of substance. The amine number is determined according to DIN 16945 by potentiometric titration with 0.1 N perchloric acid in acetic acid.

Preparation of the Polyether-Polyester Y—OH 1, Mn 780

350 g of MPEG 350 (methoxy polyethylene glycol, Mn 350), 434 g of ε-caprolactone and 1 g of DBTL (dibutyltin dilaurate) are reacted at 160° C. until a solids content of >95% has been attained. The OH number of the reaction product is 72 mg KOH/g. The further monohydroxy-functional polyesters used as Y—OH are prepared in an analogous manner.

General Preparation Method for the Monoadducts M of the General Formula (III) (Table 1):

A four-neck flask provided with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube is initially charged with 430 g of Desmodur T100 (about 100% toluene 2,4-diisocyanate, NCO content=48.8) and 7 g of benzoyl chloride, and mixed thoroughly. X g of the alcohol component which is anhydrous, and alkali-free in the case of polyethers, are metered in gradually such that the temperature does not exceed 55° C. After the metered addition, the mixture is stirred at 55° C. for a further 3 h. The excess TDI is removed from the reaction mixture by means of a thin-film evaporator at 150° C. The residual TDI content is <1%.

TABLE 1 Overview of the monoadducts M of the general formula (III) Mono- Amount X adduct Alcohol component Y-OH in [g] M1 Butanol-started PO polyether Mn 800, OH number: 70 mg 800 KOH/g M2 MPEG 350, OH number: 162 mg KOH/g 350 M3 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 2240, OH 2240 number: 25 mg KOH/g M4 Polyester Y-OH 1, OH number: 72 mg KOH/g 780 M5 Hexadecanol-started monohydroxy-functional ε- 600 caprolactone polyester, Mn 600 M6 Hexadecanol-started monohydroxy-functional ε- 1200 caprolactone polyester, Mn 1200 M7 MPEG 500 = methoxy polyethylene glycol, Mn 500 500 M8 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 1100 1100 M9 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 1300 1300 M10 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 2000 2000 M11 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 3100 3100 M12 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 4800 4800 M13 Hydroxyethyl acrylate-started ε-caprolactone polyester, Mn 1200 1200 M14 Monohydroxy-functional hydroxypropyl polydimethylsiloxane 1200 with butyl end group, Mn 1200 M15 Methanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 3:1), Mn 1400 1400 M16 MPEG 500-started ε-caprolactone polyester Mn 900 900 M17 Isodecanol-started ε-caprolactone polyester Mn 700 700 M18 Isodecanol-started ε-caprolactone polyester Mn 1000 1000 M19 Monophenyl glycol-started ε-caprolactone polyester Mn = 1200 1200 M20 n-Butanol-started ε-caprolactone polyester, Mn = 600 600 M21 n-Butanol-started ε-caprolactone polyester, Mn = 1200 1200 M22 Butanol-started PO polyether, Mn 1100 1100 M23 Isodecanol-started polyester formed from ε-caprolactone 1400 and δ-valerolactone in a molar ratio of 9:2, Mn = 1400 M24 ε-caprolactone polyester, started with a butanol-started 2000 EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 1300, mean molecular weight Mn = 2000 M25 MPEG 350-started ε-caprolactone polyester Mn 900 900 M26 MPEG 350-started polyester formed from ε-caprolactone 950 and δ-valerolactone in a molar ratio of 3:1, Mn = 950 M27 MPEG 500-started polyester formed from ε-caprolactone 1100 and δ-valerolactone in a molar ratio of 3:1, Mn = 1100 M28 MPEG 750-started polyester formed from ε-caprolactone 1400 and δ-valerolactone in a molar ratio of 3:1, Mn = 1400 M29 MPEG 750 750 M30 ε-caprolactone polyester Mn 1600, started with a methanol- 1600 started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 3:1), Mn 1400 M31 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 3170 3170 M32 Butanol-started EO/PO polyether (EO:PO 1:1) Mn 2540 2540 M33 Butanol-started PO polyether, Mn 2240 2240 M34 Butanol-started butylene oxide polyether, Mn 960 960 M35 Butanol-started PO polyether, Mn 2000 2000 M36 MPEG 2000 2000 M37 Isotridecyl alcohol 200 M38 n-Decanol 158 M39 Isodecanol 158 M40 Benzyl alcohol 108 M41 Cyclohexanol 100 M42 Isobutanol 74 M43 Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether 148 M44 Butyltriglycol 206

The compounds used as component of the formula (IV) (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y) are listed in the table which follows. If no modifying component MZ is listed, the amines specified are used as they are.

General Method for Reaction of Amines with Modifying Components MZ to Give Components of the Formula (IV) (Table 2):

A four-neck flask equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube is initially charged with x g of amine or amine mixture and heated to 80° C. Subsequently, while stirring, y g of modifying component MZ are added dropwise at a sufficiently slow rate that the reaction temperature does not exceed 90° C. in the case of acrylate components and 120° C. in the case of epoxide components. Subsequently, stirring is continued at this temperature until conversion of MZ is complete. The progress of the reaction can be monitored via NMR measurements. Dilution with MPA is optionally possible during or after the reaction.

TABLE 2 Components of the general formula (IV) and reaction of amines with modifying component MZ to give components of the general formula (IV) Amount Amount of Component of amine Modifying component MZ (IV) Amine x [g] MZ y [g] A1 API 376 TMPTA 296 A2 API 250 TMPTA 296 DMAPA 102 A3 API 250 DPGDA 242 A4 API 250 TPGDA 300 A5 DMAPA 307 TMPTA 296 A6 DMAPA 204 DPGDA 242 A7 DMAPA 204 TPGDA 300 A8 EA 122 DPGDA 242 A9 DEA 210 DPGDA 242 A10 EA 61 HEA 232 A11 DEA 105 HEA 116 A12 DEA 105 EHA 184 A13 DEA 105 PEGA-320 320 A14 DMAPA 102 HEA 232 A15 API 125 DPGDA 242 DMAPA 102 A16 API 125 HEA 232 A17 DMAPA 102 Grilonit RV 1814 540 A18 DMAPA 204 BDGE 202 A19 DEA 210 BDGE 202 A20 DMAPA 102 CGE 164 A21 TEA A22 MDEA A23 THPEDA A24 DMADPA A25 BAPMA A26* DMAE *not in accordance with the invention DMAPA = N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine; API = N-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole, TEA = triethanolamine; DEA = diethanolamine, EA = monoethanolamine, MDEA = N-methyldiethanolamine, THPEDA = tetra(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine, DMADPA = dimethylaminopropyldiisopropanolamine, BAPMA = N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, DMAE = dimethylaminoethanol TMPTA = trimethylolpropane triacrylate, DPGDA = dipropylene glycol diacrylate, TPGDA = tripropylene glycol diacrylate, HEA = 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, EHA = 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, PEGA-320 = polyethylene glycol monoacrylate Mn 320, Grilonit RV 1814 = C₁₃/C₁₅-alkyl glycidyl ether, EMS-Chemie, CGE = cresyl glycidyl ether, BDGE = butane-1,4-diol diglycidyl ether, MPA = methoxypropyl acetate (solvent); General Method for Reaction of the Monoadducts M of the General Formula (III) with Components of the General Formula (IV) to Give Reaction Products Containing Urethane Groups, Comprising One or More Species of the General Formula (I) (Table 3):

A four-neck flask equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube is initially charged with y g of component of the formula (IV) and heated to 70° C. while stirring under nitrogen. Subsequently, x1 g of monoadduct M1 are added gradually, such that the reaction temperature does not exceed 80° C. Subsequently, the reaction mixture is stirred at 80° C. until the isocyanate has reacted to completion. Turbidity may arise, which dissolves in the course of the reaction. The progress of the reaction is followed by means of titrimetric determination of the NCO number. In the same way, if stated, x2 g of monoadduct M2 are added and reacted to completion in a second reaction stage. Dilution with MPA is optionally possible during or after the reaction.

If component (IV) contains hydroxyl groups that are to be converted, the urethane formation can be accelerated by addition of 200 ppm of dibutyltin dilaurate.

TABLE 3 Reaction of monoadducts M with components of the formula (IV) Mono- Mono- adduct Amount adduct Amount Component Amount Example M1 x1 [g] M2 x2 [g] (IV) y [g] B1 M23 3150 A24 218 B2 M9 2948 A21 149 B3 M9 4422 A21 149 B4 M9 2948 A22 119 B5 M22 2748 M12 6174 A1 672 B6 M01 1748 M12 6174 A1 672 B7 M22 2748 M12 6174 A2 649 B8 M35 5348 M12 6174 A1 672 B9 M01 1748 M09 1474 A1 672 B10 M01 1748 M10 1774 A1 672 B11 M22 2748 A3 493 B12 M12 12348 A3 493 B13 M12 12348 A4 551 B14 M12 18522 A1 676 B15 M12 6174 M22 1374 A4 551 B16 M12 6174 M22 1374 A3 493 B17 M12 12348 M22 1374 A1 672 B18 M12 6174 M22 2748 A1 672 B19 M12 18522 A5 603 B20 M22 4122 A5 603 B21 M22 2748 A4 551 B22 M22 4122 A1 672 B23 M12 12348 A6 447 B24 M12 12348 A6 447 B25 M12 6174 M22 1374 A7 505 B26 M12 12348 A7 505 B27 M22 2748 A6 447 B28 M12 6174 M22 1374 A6 447 B29 M12 12348 M22 1374 A5 603 B30 M12 6174 M22 2748 A5 603 B31 M22 1374 A7 505 B32 M2 1050 A21 149 B33 M3 2415 M20 775 A21 149 B34 M4 950 M21 1375 A21 149 B35 M5 775 M23 1574 A21 149 B36 M6 1375 M24 2175 A22 119 B37 M7 675 M25 1075 A23 292 B38 M8 2550 M26 1125 A23 292 B39 M11 3274 M27 3820 A23 292 B40 M13 1375 M28 1574 A22 119 B41 M14 1375 M39 332 A21 149 B42 M15 1575 M29 924 A24 218 B43 M16 1074 M30 1775 A25 145 B44 M17 875 M31 3345 A25 145 B45 M18 1175 M32 2715 A21 149 B46 M19 1375 M34 1134 A21 149 B47 M12 6174 M35 2674 A6 447 B48 M12 6174 M35 2674 A3 493 B49 M12 6174 M35 2674 A15 470 B50 M35 5348 A3 493 B51 M33 7348 A3 493 B52 M09 2948 A3 493 B53 M12 6174 M09 1474 A3 493 B54 M09 1474 M35 1674 A3 493 B55 M12 6174 M35 1674 A3 493 B56 M36 4350 A21 149 B57 M9 1474 M37 375 A21 149 B58 M9 1474 M38 330 A21 149 B59 M40 282 M43 320 A21 149 B60 M41 274 M44 380 A21 149 B61 M9 1474 M42 250 A21 149 BX1* M9 1475 A26 89 BX2* M9 1475 A21 149 BX3* M9 1475 DMAPA 102 *noninventive comparative examples

General Method for Quaternization (Table 4):

In a four-neck flask provided with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube, the starting compound in 40 g of MPA (methoxypropyl acetate) and 40 g of butylglycol and x g of alkylating reagent are reacted at 120° C. for 4 h. The solids content is adjusted to 40% with a 1:1 mixture of MPA and butylglycol.

TABLE 4 Quaternization Example Starting compound Alkylating reagent Q1 120 g B1 3.9 g of benzyl chloride Q2 335 g B58 12.7 g of benzyl chloride Q3 329 g B59 12.7 g of benzyl chloride Q4 335 g B58 26.2 g of Grilonit 1814 11.4 g of benzoic acid Q5 329 g B59 15.7 g of CGE 11.4 g of benzoic acid Grilonit RV 1814 = C₁₃/C₁₅-alkyl glycidyl ether, EMS-Chemie

General Method for Salt Formation (Table 5):

In a four-neck flask provided with a stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet tube, the compound to be converted to a salt in 40 g of MPA and 40 g of butylglycol is stirred with x g of salt conversion reagent at 60° C. for 1 h.

TABLE 5 Salt formation Example Compound used Salt conversion reagent S1 3100 g B2 146 g of adipic acid S2 3100 g B2 6.4 g of benzoic acid S3 3100 g B2 7.3 g of benzoic acid S4 3100 g B2 73 g of adipic acid S5 3100 g B2 282 g of oleic acid S6 3100 g B2 200 g of lauric acid S7 3100 g B2 298 g of ricinoleic acid S8 3100 g B2 60 g of acetic acid

c) Performance Testing

Use of the polymers of the invention as wetting agents and dispersants for production of pigment concentrates and use thereof in varnish systems

Starting Materials

Paraloid B-66 thermoplastic acrylate resin, manufacturer: DOW Chemicals Vinnol E 15/45 copolymer resin based on vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, manufacturer: Wacker Chemie NC E 510 nitrocellulose, manufacturer: Dow Wolff Cellulosics GmbH Vialkyd AC 433 75% alkyd resin, manufacturer: Allnex Epikote 1001 75% epoxy resin based on bisphenol A, manufacturer: Hexion Aradur 115 X 70 polyamidoamine, manufacturer: Huntsman Joncryl 500 hydroxy-functional acrylic resin, manufacturer: BASF Laropal A 81 aldehyde resin, manufacturer: BASF Cymel 303 amino crosslinker, manufacturer: Allnex MAK methyl amyl ketone, manufacturer: Eastman DIDP diisodecyl phthalate Nacure 2500 p-toluenesulfonic acid, manufacturer: King Industries Dowanol PMA propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, manufacturer: Dow Chemicals Dowanol PM propylene glycol methyl ether, manufacturer: Dow Chemicals Raven 5000 Ultra III carbon black pigment for high jetness, manufacturer Paliogen Red L3880 HD perylene red pigment, manufacturer Hostaperm RL NF violet pigment, manufacturer InkJet Margenta E02 pigment for inkjet inks, manufacturer Novoperm Yellow P-M3R isoindoline pigment, manufacturer Nipex 160 IQ gas black with primary particle size 20 mm, manufacturer: Degussa Bayferrox Red 130M iron oxide red (P.R. 101), manufacturer: Lanxess Heliogen Blue L7101F phthalocyanine blue (P.B. 15:4), manufacturer: BASF Hostaperm Rosa E quinacridone red (P.R. 122), manufacturer: Clariant Colour Black FW 200 carbon black pigment (P. Bk. 7), manufacturer: Orion BYK 325 substrate wetting agent, manufacturer: BYK-Chemie BYK 310 substrate wetting agent, manufacturer: BYK-Chemie BYK 306 substrate wetting agent, manufacturer: BYK-Chemie

Procedures Production of the TPA Pigment Dispersion

The Paraloid B-66 dispersion resin, solvent, dispersing additive and pigment were weighed into 100 mL glass bottles so as to obtain 50 g of millbase. Subsequently, 50 g of glass beads (1 mm) were weighed in.

Composition of the TPA Pigment Concentrates (Figures in g)

TPA 1 TPA 2 TPA 3 (black) (red) (violet) Paraloid B-66 (50% in xylene) 24.0 24.0 24.0 Raven Ultra 5000 III 6.0 Paliogen Red L 3880 HD 8.0 Hostaperm RL-NF 5.0 Dispersant (100%) 4.2 2.0 2.0 n-Butanol 5.0 5.0 5.0 PMA (100%) 11.0 14.0 Butyl acetate (100%) 10.8 Total pigment content (%) 12 16 10 Dispersant (% s.o.p.) 70 25 40

Grinding Conditions:

Equipment: Lau Disperser DAS 200, dispersing time: 300 min, cooling power at level 3

Ratio of millbase to glass beads (diameter 1 mm):1:1 (parts by weight)

Assessment of Millbase Viscosity of the TPA Dispersions

The millbase viscosity of the TPA dispersions was determined with a Rheological Stresstech Rheometer (plate/cone, 25 mm, 1°) at 23° C.

Millbase Viscosities

TPA 1 (black) TPA 2 (red) TPA 3 (violet) Raven 5000 Ultra III Paliogen Red L3880 HD Hostaperm RL-NF Viscosity in Pa * s 1/s 10/s 100/s 1/s 10/s 100/s 1/s 10/s 100/s BX1* 45.890 7.727 1.828 15.370 2.876 0.814 42.110 4.786 1.085 BX2* 51.610 7.534 1.774 22.470 3.808 1.011 57.960 7.762 1.432 Q1 11.780 2.340 0.839 11.120 1.917 0.579 41.550 4.480 1.056 B2 34.090 6.209 1.632 13.210 2.672 0.732 40.290 4.187 1.020 B3 37.300 6.136 1.496 9.812 2.068 0.730 40.920 4.500 1.061 B4 33.340 6.088 1.598 13.720 2.611 0.733 41.920 4.532 1.062

The inventive dispersing additives have a significant viscosity-reducing effect compared to the prior art BX1* and BX2* in TPA dispersions of 3 different pigments, which is manifested even at low shear rates.

Production of the TPA-Based Letdown System

Paraloid B-66, solvent and leveling additive were weighed into a 2.5 L PE bucket and homogenized with a Dispermat CV (65 mm toothed disk) at 2000 rpm for 5 min.

Composition of the TPA Letdown System (Figures in g)

TPA clearcoat Weight in g Paraloid B-66 (50% in xylene) 700 DIDP 20 Xylene 218 PMA 60 BYK-306 2

Production of the Pigmented TPA Letdown Systems

The TPA letdown system and the TPA-based pigment dispersion were weighed into a PE cup and mixed with a spatula. Subsequently, all the final TPA letdown systems were homogenized in an ANDALOK shaker for 10 min.

Composition of the Pigmented TPA Letdown Systems (Figures in g)

TPA-B1 TPA-B2 TPA-B3 TPA letdown system 28.0 27.0 26.0 TPA 1 (black) 2.0 TPA 2 (red) 3.0 TPA 3 (violet) 4.0 Pigment content (%) 0.8 1.6 1.3

Application and Evaluation of the Pigmented TPA Letdown Systems

The pigmented TPA letdown systems were bar-coated onto PE film (50 μm or 100 μm) and dried at 22° C. for 24 h. Subsequently, the haze and gloss were measured with a BYK micro haze plus instrument at an angle of 20°. In each case, low values for haze and high values for gloss are considered to be positive results. In addition, the optical color intensity and transparency through the drawdowns onto PE film was assessed using grades 1 (excellent) to 5 (unacceptable).

TPA B1 (black) Raven 5000 Ultra III Dispersing additive in the millbase Masstone Masstone Masstone 100 μm PE film 100 μm PE film 100 μm PE film Transparency/ Haze Gloss 20° color intensity BX1* 11 79 2-3 BX2* 12 79 3 B2 9 82 2 B3 10 83 1-2 B4 9 82 1

TPA B2 (red) Paliogen Red L3880 HD Dispersing additive in the millbase Masstone Masstone Masstone 50 μm PE film 100 μm PE film 100 μm PE film Transparency/ Haze Gloss 20° color intensity BX1* 13 75 4 BX2* 20 73 4-5 B2 12 78 3 B3 12 78 3 B4 9 79 3

TPA B3 (violet) Hostaperm RL-NF Dispersing additive in the millbase Masstone Masstone Masstone 50 μm PE film 50 μm PE film 50 μm PE film Transparency/ Haze Gloss 20° color intensity BX1* 45 69 4 BX2* 47 69 4-5 Q1 42 72 3 B2 41 72 3 B3 38 72 2-3 B4 40 72 3

The dispersing additives of the invention exhibit lower haze, better gloss values and higher transparency and color intensity compared to the prior art BX1* and BX2* for TPA-based varnish systems.

Production of the Laropal A81 Pigment Dispersion

The Laropal A81 dispersion resin (60 parts) was weighed into a 2.5 L PE bucket together with PMA (40 parts) and homogenized by means of a Dispermat CV (65 mm toothed disk) at 2000 rpm for 30 min. Subsequently, the solution of the dispersion resin, solvent, dispersing additive and pigment was weighed into 100 mL glass bottles so as to obtain 50 g of millbase. Subsequently, 50 g of glass beads (1 mm) were weighed in.

Composition of the Laropal A81 Pigment Concentrates (Figures in q)

LA 1 LA 2 LA 3 (black) (pink) (blue) Laropal A 81 (60% in PMA) 8.7 20.4 21.9 Colour Black FW 200 4.0 Hostaperm Rosa E 7.0 Heliogen Blau 7101F 7.5 Dispersing additive (100%) 2.8 1.8 1.9 PMA 34.5 20.8 18.7 Total pigment content (%) 8 14 15 Dispersant (% s.o.p.) 70 25 25

Grinding Conditions:

Equipment: Lau Disperser DAS 200, grinding time: 300 min, cooling power at level 3 Ratio of millbase to glass beads (diameter 1 mm):1:1 (parts by weight)

Assessment of the Millbase Viscosity and the Laropal A81 Dispersions

The millbase viscosity of the Laropal A81 dispersions was determined with a Rheological Stresstech Rheometer (plate/cone, 25 mm, 1°) at 23° C.

Millbase Viscosities

LA 1 (black) LA 2 (pink) LA 3 (blue) Viscosity Viscosity Viscosity in mPa * s in mPa * s in mPa * s 1/ 10/ 100/ 1/ 10/ 100/ 1/ 10/ 100/ s s s s s s s s s BX3* 64 23 16 34870 3934 894 9757 1017 274 BX2* 232 25 19 33660 3399 995 10720 915 297 Q1 17 5 6 19260 1860 323 6991 791 141 B2 42 14 12 31930 3179 682 9734 697 180 B3 24 17 13 27900 3027 734 8718 568 165 B4 44 16 12 28850 3284 811 9083 710 182

Production of a Baking Varnish JC1

Binder, solvent and substrate wetting agent were weighed into a 2.5 L PE bucket and homogenized with a Dispermat CV (65 mm toothed disk) at 2000 rpm for 5 min.

Composition of the Baking Varnish JC1 (Figures in g)

Baking varnish JC1 Weight in g Joncryl 500 576.0 Cymel 303 198.0 Butanol 80.0 MAK 130.0 BYK-310 3.0 Nacure 2500 13.0

Production of Various Varnishes Based on the Laropal A81 Pigment Dispersions

The Laropal A81-based pigment dispersions and the baking varnish JC1 were weighed into a PE cup and mixed by hand with a spatula. Subsequently, the pigmented varnishes were homogenized in an ANDALOK shaker for 10 min.

Composition of the Pigmented JC1 Letdown Systems (Figures in g)

JC1-B1 JC1-B2 JC1-B3 (black) (pink) (blue) JC1 18.0 17.9 16.0 LA 1 (black) 2.0 LA 2 (pink) 2.1 LA 3 (blue) 4.0 Pigment content (%) 0.8 1.5 3.0

Application and Evaluation of the Pigmented Baking Varnishes JC1-B1 to JC1-B3

The pigmented baking varnishes JC1-B1 to JC1-B3 were bar-coated onto PE film (50 μm), flashed off at 22° C. for 15 min and baked at 150° C. for 20 min. Subsequently, haze and gloss were measured with a BYK micro haze plus instrument at an angle of 20°. In each case, low values for haze and high values for gloss are considered to be positive results. In addition, the optical transparency and color intensity through the drawdowns onto PE film was assessed using grades 1 (excellent) to 5 (unacceptable).

Comparison of the Black Baking Varnishes JC1-B1 (Black)

Transparency/ Synthesis name Gloss 20° Haze color intensity BX3* 99 18 4-5 BX2* 101 21 3-4 Q1 106 10 2-3 B2 106 10 1-2 B3 104 15 1 B4 106 11 2-3

Comparison of the Pink Baking Varnishes JC1-B2 (Pink)

Transparency/ Gloss 20° Haze color intensity BX3* 109 33 4-5 BX2* 108 28 5 Q1 116 14 3 B2 115 17 3 B3 115 19 3 B4 114 23 3

Comparison of the Blue Baking Varnishes JC1-B3 (Blue)

Transparency/ Synthesis name Gloss 20° Haze color intensity BX3* 110 35 4-5 BX2* 109 38 4 Q1 116 24 3 B2 117 20 3 B3 116 20 2-3 B4 116 23 3

The dispersing additives of the invention exhibit lower haze, better gloss values and higher transparency and color intensity compared to the prior art BX3 and BX2 for pigment concentrates based on Laropal A81 used in an acid-catalyzed baking varnish. 

1. A reaction product containing urethane groups, comprising at least 40% by weight one or more species of the general formula (I) (R¹—X)_(p)—Z¹—(XH)_(y)  (I), where p+y=w and w is an integer from 2 to 10, p is an integer from 2 to 10, y is an integer from 0 to 8, and X is independently O, NH and/or NZ² and XH is independently a hydroxyl group OH, a primary amino group NH₂ and/or a secondary amino group NHZ² where Z² is independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical G(U)_(a) where U is independently a hydroxyl group, a primary amino group or a secondary amino group and a is an integer from 0 to 8, where w+a≤10, and the p R′ radicals are independently a radical of the general formula (II) Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NH—CO  (II) in which the p Y radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which has 1 to 1000 carbon atoms and does not contain any hydroxyl groups, any primary amino groups or any secondary amino groups, the p R² radicals are independently a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, Z¹ is a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated organic radical which contains at least one tertiary nitrogen group and is free of XH groups.
 2. The reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tertiary nitrogen group is a tertiary amino group.
 3. The reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, containing at least 60% by weight of one or more species of the general formula (I).
 4. The reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ corresponding to the R² radical has two isocyanate groups of different reactivity.
 5. The reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, wherein Y contains at least one polyether radical, polyester radical, hydrocarbyl radical and/or polysiloxane radical.
 6. A process for preparing the reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, wherein i) at least one diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is reacted with at least one monoalcohol Y—OH to form a urethane of the general formula (III) Y—O—CO—NH—R²—NCO  (III) ii) p urethanes of the general formula (III) are reacted with at least one component of the formula (IV) (HX)_(p)—Z¹—(HX)_(y)  (IV) to give a reaction product containing urethane groups, comprising one or more species of the general formula (I) (R¹—X)_(p)—Z¹—(XH)_(y)  (I).
 7. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is used in step i) relative to the monoalcohol Y—OH in a molar ratio of at least 1.1:1.0 and the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ that has not been converted to the urethane of the general formula (III) in step i) is removed from the reaction mixture, optionally by distillation, prior to the performance of step ii).
 8. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ corresponding to the R² radical has two isocyanate groups of different reactivity.
 9. The process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the diisocyanate R²(NCO)₂ is selected from the group consisting of toluene 2,4-diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate.
 10. The process as claimed in claim 6, wherein one or more species of the general formula (IV) are obtained by modification of amino alcohols, amines or polyamines containing primary and secondary amino groups with a modifying component MZ containing epoxy and/or acrylic ester groups.
 11. A wetting agent and dispersant comprising the reaction product containing urethane groups, as claimed in claim
 1. 12. A composition comprising the reaction product containing urethane groups, as claimed in claim
 1. 13. A method of utilizing the reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1 comprising adding the reaction product as a wetting agent or dispersant or dispersion stabilizer or viscosity reducer or compatibilizer in coatings, varnishes, plastics, pigment pastes, sealants, cosmetics, ceramics, adhesives, potting compounds, spackling compounds, printing inks or other inks.
 14. A reaction product containing urethane groups which is one species of the general formula (I) of the reaction product as claimed in claim
 1. 15. A reaction product containing urethane groups, comprising one or more salt(s) and/or one or more quaternization product(s) of the species of the general formula (I) of the reaction product as claimed in claim
 1. 16. A reaction product containing urethane groups, comprising one or more modification products of the species of the general formula (I) of the reaction product as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more tertiary amino groups of the general formula (I) have been converted to amine oxides with oxygen and/or peroxo compounds and or XH groups still present in the general formula (I) have been reacted with carboxylic anhydrides.
 17. The reaction product containing urethane groups as claimed in claim 1, containing at least 90% by weight of one or more species of the general formula (I).
 18. A wetting agent and dispersant comprising the reaction product containing urethane groups, prepared by the process as claimed in claim
 6. 19. A composition comprising the reaction product containing urethane groups, prepared by the process as claimed in claim
 6. 20. A method of utilizing the reaction product containing urethane groups prepared by the process as claimed in claim 6 comprising adding the reaction product as a wetting agent or dispersant or dispersion stabilizer or viscosity reducer or compatibilizer in coatings, varnishes, plastics, pigment pastes, sealants, cosmetics, ceramics, adhesives, potting compounds, spackling compounds, printing inks or other inks. 